I've been looking forward to a visit with my friend Mike -- a 65yo who's been chain-smoking for more than 45 years, 3 or more packs a day. He had a stroke 10 years ago, related to his smoking, and checked himself out of the hospital against medical advice after only four days, because they wouldn't let him smoke. Never quite recovered and he's been on disability since. As a single father with two teenage boys, I don't even know how he affords his habit. His boys, both of whom cough as much as if they smoked themselves, have nagged him to quit and he's tried a few times. He has some strange ideas of what's "manly," and gum and patches don't stack up, so he always went cold turkey. But he rarely made it for more than a few days.
I couldn't wait to tell him about vaping, how well it worked for me, how easy it was, how much better it was, how he could save money with the right set-up -- well, I'm preaching to the choir now, you all know what I wanted to tell him! I thought about bringing along a starter kit for him, but knowing he's a bit of an odd duck, I didn't want to make the wrong choice and turn him off before he started. Would he want a cig-alike and think something bigger was too weird-looking? Would he insist it had to taste like tobacco? No question, it had to be dead simple. He's a true Luddite when it comes to technology and I knew he wouldn't want to mess around with a lot of fiddly little pieces.
So when we went to his oldest boy's graduation this past Saturday, I brought along several set-ups. An eGo twist with a Pro-Tank loaded with cinnamon roll juice. A pass-through eGo with a disposable clearo filled with butterscotch (which I know is his favorite candy flavor). And a couple 510s, one manual and one auto, one with a nano clearo loaded with amaretto (his drink of choice) and one with a pre-filled carto in USA tobacco flavor. I had all the bases covered, I thought.
We were together nearly the entire day. I didn't even mention it to him, just happily vaped away, alternating between all the set-ups I brought. His boys asked tons of questions: how much did they cost, how did it work, what were the differences, what was in it, did it come in other flavors ... was I really, really done with cigarettes? (They've grown up watching me try to quit more times than their dad tried, so skepticism comes naturally to them.) He didn't say a word or ask a question, but I know he heard every answer.
I vaped in the auditorium where the ceremony was held. At the restaurant where we had dinner after, I vaped at the table while he went outside in the rain to smoke. At the house, I vaped as he chain-smoked ... and offered me a cigarette every time he lit one. He seemed genuinely confused when I wasn't interested.
The boys started to press him -- why don't you just try it, Dad? Nope. No. I've got my smokes. No. No.
By the end of the day, before I left, I finally asked. Why don't I leave one of these with you for a day or two? I'll see you again this week. I'm not pressing you to quit smoking, just maybe vape once in a while instead. Do your lungs and your wallet both a favor.
Know what he told me? "No-oo-oo. It's for GIRLS!"
I, a 60-yo "girl," am the only vaper he has ever met. Therefore, vaping isn't manly. I couldn't have fixed that, no matter how carefully I planned.
I couldn't wait to tell him about vaping, how well it worked for me, how easy it was, how much better it was, how he could save money with the right set-up -- well, I'm preaching to the choir now, you all know what I wanted to tell him! I thought about bringing along a starter kit for him, but knowing he's a bit of an odd duck, I didn't want to make the wrong choice and turn him off before he started. Would he want a cig-alike and think something bigger was too weird-looking? Would he insist it had to taste like tobacco? No question, it had to be dead simple. He's a true Luddite when it comes to technology and I knew he wouldn't want to mess around with a lot of fiddly little pieces.
So when we went to his oldest boy's graduation this past Saturday, I brought along several set-ups. An eGo twist with a Pro-Tank loaded with cinnamon roll juice. A pass-through eGo with a disposable clearo filled with butterscotch (which I know is his favorite candy flavor). And a couple 510s, one manual and one auto, one with a nano clearo loaded with amaretto (his drink of choice) and one with a pre-filled carto in USA tobacco flavor. I had all the bases covered, I thought.
We were together nearly the entire day. I didn't even mention it to him, just happily vaped away, alternating between all the set-ups I brought. His boys asked tons of questions: how much did they cost, how did it work, what were the differences, what was in it, did it come in other flavors ... was I really, really done with cigarettes? (They've grown up watching me try to quit more times than their dad tried, so skepticism comes naturally to them.) He didn't say a word or ask a question, but I know he heard every answer.
I vaped in the auditorium where the ceremony was held. At the restaurant where we had dinner after, I vaped at the table while he went outside in the rain to smoke. At the house, I vaped as he chain-smoked ... and offered me a cigarette every time he lit one. He seemed genuinely confused when I wasn't interested.
The boys started to press him -- why don't you just try it, Dad? Nope. No. I've got my smokes. No. No.
By the end of the day, before I left, I finally asked. Why don't I leave one of these with you for a day or two? I'll see you again this week. I'm not pressing you to quit smoking, just maybe vape once in a while instead. Do your lungs and your wallet both a favor.
Know what he told me? "No-oo-oo. It's for GIRLS!"
I, a 60-yo "girl," am the only vaper he has ever met. Therefore, vaping isn't manly. I couldn't have fixed that, no matter how carefully I planned.
